I used the DVD cover from the TV show as a model.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Tintin
Here's a sketch I did of Tintin in Autodesk Sketchbook Pro on my iPad.

I used the DVD cover from the TV show as a model.

I used the DVD cover from the TV show as a model.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Cowboys and Aliens (2011)
The director of Ironman sends James Bond, Indiana Jones, and Thirteen on a mission against aliens in the old American West.
The premise seems can't miss...
We're first introduced to Daniel Craig in the mysterious "man with no name" role. He's lost his memory, as well as any charisma, but has gained a sweet piece of alien tech.
Harrison Ford plays the local rich man, a retired army colonel that has cattle, land, and a Clint Eastwood growl.
Olivia Wilde is another mysterious stranger (I think a good rule of moviemaking may be to limit the mysterious strangers to a singular mysterious stranger). More on her mysteriousness in a minute.
The action, while minimal for a blockbuster, is great. I think it was a good move to keep it relatively minimal in the film, the idea that aliens could attack at any moment while not making it a non stop battle. This reminded me very much of classic westerns (they even wear cowboy hats and ride horses!).
I also really enjoyed Harrison Ford's take on the grizzled old jerk land baron, even if his character's arc smacks you in the head over and over.
This movie has everything going for it, yet the problems are manifest.
The first is that there are simply too many people. Character after character is introduced in enough detail to try to make us care about them but in the end we don't. This starts tangent after tangent that we just don't need. I honestly don't care if the barkeep learns how to shoot a rifle, even if he is president of the universe.
And when you have to watch multiple scenes ofdialog exposition with these characters that you don't care about, it makes a relatively short film seem like a director's cut of Lord of the Rings. It goes on and on, and with each new set piece I was thinking, "let's get on with it, I have to pee!"
I'm back.
Another problem is that Wilde's character is just too hard to accept. She's the hottest girl in town, carries a gun, and is acknowledged by no one early on. Even James Bond tells her to piss off. It's as if everyone in town knows her a little too well, and wants no part of her.
When she joins the maingroup posse to go on a big alien hunting expedition only one other character even notices, and he shrugs her off.
But as I mentioned earlier she is indeed a stranger, except for the fact that she's not treated as a stranger by the townsfolk. When we're surprised by later revelations it feels . . . cheap.
Finally, the story is nothing terribly new. No chances were taken, other than would summer popcorn audiences want to see a "western." The only surprise feels like a gimmick.
Oh, but the cowboys do make nice with the indians during the movie. So that's a surprise I guess. Historically westerns are cowboys versus indians.
Wait, I think I just got it.
Nevermind. Great film!
Seriously, what works?
Harrison Ford. The action scenes. The western parts of the film. The special effects. All of these make the movie worth watching. To be honest though, while watching it late at night I found myself dozing, and often. Had to rewatch the movie a second night.
It's a shame. Favreau knows how to make a great movie (see Ironman). He also can make a disappointing movie (see Ironman 2 - and this movie).
The premise seems can't miss...
We're first introduced to Daniel Craig in the mysterious "man with no name" role. He's lost his memory, as well as any charisma, but has gained a sweet piece of alien tech.
Harrison Ford plays the local rich man, a retired army colonel that has cattle, land, and a Clint Eastwood growl.
Olivia Wilde is another mysterious stranger (I think a good rule of moviemaking may be to limit the mysterious strangers to a singular mysterious stranger). More on her mysteriousness in a minute.
The action, while minimal for a blockbuster, is great. I think it was a good move to keep it relatively minimal in the film, the idea that aliens could attack at any moment while not making it a non stop battle. This reminded me very much of classic westerns (they even wear cowboy hats and ride horses!).
I also really enjoyed Harrison Ford's take on the grizzled old jerk land baron, even if his character's arc smacks you in the head over and over.
This movie has everything going for it, yet the problems are manifest.
The first is that there are simply too many people. Character after character is introduced in enough detail to try to make us care about them but in the end we don't. This starts tangent after tangent that we just don't need. I honestly don't care if the barkeep learns how to shoot a rifle, even if he is president of the universe.
And when you have to watch multiple scenes of
I'm back.
Another problem is that Wilde's character is just too hard to accept. She's the hottest girl in town, carries a gun, and is acknowledged by no one early on. Even James Bond tells her to piss off. It's as if everyone in town knows her a little too well, and wants no part of her.
When she joins the main
But as I mentioned earlier she is indeed a stranger, except for the fact that she's not treated as a stranger by the townsfolk. When we're surprised by later revelations it feels . . . cheap.
Finally, the story is nothing terribly new. No chances were taken, other than would summer popcorn audiences want to see a "western." The only surprise feels like a gimmick.
Oh, but the cowboys do make nice with the indians during the movie. So that's a surprise I guess. Historically westerns are cowboys versus indians.
Wait, I think I just got it.
Nevermind. Great film!
Seriously, what works?
Harrison Ford. The action scenes. The western parts of the film. The special effects. All of these make the movie worth watching. To be honest though, while watching it late at night I found myself dozing, and often. Had to rewatch the movie a second night.
It's a shame. Favreau knows how to make a great movie (see Ironman). He also can make a disappointing movie (see Ironman 2 - and this movie).
Link to this post and I'll give you $10
I will pay $10 to each person who links to this post. Please send a W-9 and $11.95 for shipping and handling. Some restrictions apply.
hey, cool logo
Garry, How'd you make that logo show up in the address bar? Oh, and you owe me royalties.
why I never post on this blog
Garry, Reading your post made me think about why I never post on this blog. It's the same reason I don't talk out loud to myself, often. I don't feel like I have much to say that I'd want to hear if it was someone else saying the same thing to me. And I'm lazy. Those are the two reasons.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
A Post!
Just a post to keep this blog alive.
Is anybody checking this thing? I mean besides me. Write for yourself and all but this is a little too circular.
I'm thinking more and more (again, constantly) about our FMG web presence. I really really really want to be online but don't seem to have the perseverance for it. The Italian word is puscatore (duckduckgo it).
I heard some great things regarding squarespace on Merlin Mann's Back to Work podcast. I checked it out, and the service (along with Merlin's inspiration) got me excited about blogging and being online again.
So, I'm back. I've decided to make blogging here a priority. Hopefully I keep it up long enough to justify a jump to squarespace.
I'll also be throwing some tweets out there, or at least retweeting everything David Burge tweets.
If you're there, stay tuned.
Is anybody checking this thing? I mean besides me. Write for yourself and all but this is a little too circular.
I'm thinking more and more (again, constantly) about our FMG web presence. I really really really want to be online but don't seem to have the perseverance for it. The Italian word is puscatore (duckduckgo it).
I heard some great things regarding squarespace on Merlin Mann's Back to Work podcast. I checked it out, and the service (along with Merlin's inspiration) got me excited about blogging and being online again.
So, I'm back. I've decided to make blogging here a priority. Hopefully I keep it up long enough to justify a jump to squarespace.
I'll also be throwing some tweets out there, or at least retweeting everything David Burge tweets.
If you're there, stay tuned.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
I doubt I like this because I'm a habitual speeder...
This story is fantastic. A Florida motorist was ticketed for warning other drivers about a speed trap. The charge? Some absurd "illegal use of highbeams" nonsense. The man decided to sue the Florida Highway Patrol, and in doing so highlights the following:
"...he adds the agency is not being honest when it says it doesn't write tickets to increase revenue or punish people, but rather to get the motorist to slow down on the highway. If that were true, Campbell says the FHP should be delighted with him, because drivers did slow down before troopers could give them a ticket."Imagine a public agency not being honest!
Speeding tickets may have started out as a form of public safety, but now are primarily for revenue generation.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
New Spiderman is half black, half latino!
I dunno. I think he looks Cablinasian.
--and don't forget this:
Site Maintenance
I've changed the blog a few times over the last few days. Mostly just trying to show this thing some attention. Perhaps I'll even blog something again. As if!
I'm pretty sure I found him a few months back via a programmer/Mac website. Great stuff. Go get lost there for a while. Most of his stuff is about personal improvement, although he's taking the bar in California right now which may be a step in the wrong direction.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tea Party Terror
What is the tea party? I'm not quite sure there is a correct answer.
For some it is a new platform. For others, it's anarchists.
Is it organized? Is it ragtag?
I honestly don't know, but here's what it means to me.
The tea party is an idea. The idea that enough is enough.
The idea that government has gotten out of hand. The idea that too big to fail is too big (even if it's the government).
The idea that I am responsible for me. Not the government.
The idea that if we are all in this together then we should all contribute. No free rides.
The idea that freedom means freedom. Free to choose. Free to win. Free to fail.
Whatever it is, I'm trying to be part of it. I'm not an activist, but I want to live by these ideas.
And I'm glad to be on the other side of this bozo.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Nacho Double Down
Friday, September 3, 2010
Over- thinking it (UPDATED!)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Balloon Animals
Thursday, July 8, 2010
I fixed it
Drudge is highlighting the Cyber Command logo today.
But there is nothing "cyber" or "internety" about it.
Here's a thought:
Much better.
But there is nothing "cyber" or "internety" about it.Here's a thought:
Much better.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Heinlein's List
Okay Garry, shall we set to work on Heinlein's List? I'll put off the "die gallantly" for awhile (hopefully a very very long while), but what about the others? We've both changed diapers. What shall we plan to invade? And then we've got to butcher a hog? This would make for an interesting book . . .
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Chicago
I was in Chicago for work on Wednesday; this shot was taken by a friend after dinner after the Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup in almost 50 years. Building at lower left says "HAWKS," building in the middle has Stanley, building at lower right says "LET'S GO HAWKS." It was a fun night to be in town.I also had a great time at one of the funnest museums in the country--Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Got up close to a U-boat, a Mercury and an Apollo capsule, and some big ole locomotives, etc.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
More cars
These cars are all from “The Art of the Automobile” at the Atlanta High Museum (on loan from MOMA I believe). These were taken on my iPhone so please forgive the quality.

Porsche Speedster

Pierce Arrow

Duesenberg

Mercedes (this was my wife’s favorite)

Alfa Romeo

Remainder of a Porsche prototype

Bugatti with original ostrich skin seats

Aston Martin

Jaguar

Ferrari

Porsche

The first Corvette Stingray
There were a few more, but these were the highlights.
Porsche Speedster
Pierce Arrow
Duesenberg
Mercedes (this was my wife’s favorite)
Alfa Romeo
Remainder of a Porsche prototype
Bugatti with original ostrich skin seats
Aston Martin
Jaguar
Ferrari
Porsche
The first Corvette Stingray
There were a few more, but these were the highlights.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saw a few cars yesterday
Went to the High Museum to see the Art of The Automobile exhibit.

An early Alfa Romeo; one of my favorites on display (Please forgive the iphone quality pic. It's all I had on me). Something about the word Superleggera makes me want to drop everything and race cars.
More to follow when I get some time to post.
An early Alfa Romeo; one of my favorites on display (Please forgive the iphone quality pic. It's all I had on me). Something about the word Superleggera makes me want to drop everything and race cars.
More to follow when I get some time to post.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Go see it
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Quoted for truth
“Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”
Thomas Jefferson, who accomplished a few things. If only I had one-one hundredth of his drive.
I wonder what's on tv right now...
Thomas Jefferson, who accomplished a few things. If only I had one-one hundredth of his drive.
I wonder what's on tv right now...
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
this is really cool
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Greater Good (1)
With a little bit of work this will hopefully become a recurring series - hence the (1).
A state assemblyman in New York wants to force all New Yorkers to become organ donors. Force, as in at the barrel of a gun (all laws are such).
Here's a better idea: incentivize organ donation! Offer tax credits, cash payments, whatever, to those that choose to be donors.
You can't tell me that wouldn't increase the availability of viable organs. And piss off fewer people.
-- Posted From My iPad
A state assemblyman in New York wants to force all New Yorkers to become organ donors. Force, as in at the barrel of a gun (all laws are such).
Here's a better idea: incentivize organ donation! Offer tax credits, cash payments, whatever, to those that choose to be donors.
You can't tell me that wouldn't increase the availability of viable organs. And piss off fewer people.
-- Posted From My iPad
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Calvin on Ritalin
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
iPad
I'm loving my new iPad. It has been a while since a gadget has grabbed my attention so fully (the iPhone notwithstanding...I've only had it four months). I really haven't been into computers and gadgets over the years but this thing makes me want to learn to program.
The best thing about the iPad is the inspiration it provides. You feel like you're working with a computer from the future. Using your fingers instead of a mouse is just...cool (and surprisingly not a hassle). The onscreen keyboard takes some getting used to but it doesn't take long to get the hang of it. I'm writing this post on it now.
My only complaint so far is the obstacles Apple puts in your way. The primary way to get files on and off the iPad is through itunes, which can be a pain. It makes the iPad less of a computer and more of a peripheral. Some apps such as Airshare and various online storage sites are useful for working around this but why not make it more direct (use that camera connection kit to connect a usb flashdrive)? Importing and exporting via email works also but is not always convenient. In short, the file management and storage will keep it from being your primary computer. It really can be inconvenient.
Also, the software is still lacking. The iWork suite helps but better compatibility with MS Office would be great. Im sure this will be fixed in short order. The app store created a gold rush for mobile phone software development, and iPad specific apps are just getting started. I imagine in a year this thing will be a serious threat to laptops.
There are more drawbacks to be sure, but there are with any device. For the first gen, there is a lot to love.
PS...I gave my three year old my iPhone the other night, and we played Battleship over Bluetooth (I used the iPad). We are living in The Future.
The best thing about the iPad is the inspiration it provides. You feel like you're working with a computer from the future. Using your fingers instead of a mouse is just...cool (and surprisingly not a hassle). The onscreen keyboard takes some getting used to but it doesn't take long to get the hang of it. I'm writing this post on it now.
My only complaint so far is the obstacles Apple puts in your way. The primary way to get files on and off the iPad is through itunes, which can be a pain. It makes the iPad less of a computer and more of a peripheral. Some apps such as Airshare and various online storage sites are useful for working around this but why not make it more direct (use that camera connection kit to connect a usb flashdrive)? Importing and exporting via email works also but is not always convenient. In short, the file management and storage will keep it from being your primary computer. It really can be inconvenient.
Also, the software is still lacking. The iWork suite helps but better compatibility with MS Office would be great. Im sure this will be fixed in short order. The app store created a gold rush for mobile phone software development, and iPad specific apps are just getting started. I imagine in a year this thing will be a serious threat to laptops.
There are more drawbacks to be sure, but there are with any device. For the first gen, there is a lot to love.
PS...I gave my three year old my iPhone the other night, and we played Battleship over Bluetooth (I used the iPad). We are living in The Future.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The joy of sausage
Bacon gets plenty of praise, but let us not forget the joys of sausage. We had a delicious "breakfast for dinner" tonight with creamy scrambled eggs, from-scratch pancakes, savory sausage and plenty of syrup. Ahh, sausage.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Stupid humans
This post is not intended to disparage Mr. Lovelock, but damn...he sure seems to be disparaging me:
Think we've accomplished anything meaningful in 90 years?
Won't affect him. He won't be around much longer. (Plus Friedman's got his back!)
Does he mean actual evidence? Even so, it wouldn't be proof of anthropomorphic global warming.
Ending on a good note, I'll give him credit for this bit:
Their actions might be called stupid. Perhaps the scientific method is too complex for mere humans?
(alternate close: this interview left me feeling utterly disgusted)
"I don't think we're yet evolved to the point where we're clever enough to handle a complex a [sic] situation as climate change," said Lovelock in his first in-depth interview since the theft of the UEA emails last November. "The inertia of humans is so huge that you can't really do anything meaningful."
Think we've accomplished anything meaningful in 90 years?
One of the main obstructions to meaningful action is "modern democracy", he added. "Even the best democracies agree that when a major war approaches, democracy must be put on hold for the time being. I have a feeling that climate change may be an issue as severe as a war. It may be necessary to put democracy on hold for a while."
Won't affect him. He won't be around much longer. (Plus Friedman's got his back!)
He thinks only a catastrophic event would now persuade humanity to take the threat of climate change seriously enough, such as the collapse of a giant glacier in Antarctica, such as the Pine Island glacier, which would immediately push up sea level.
"That would be the sort of event that would change public opinion," he said.
Does he mean actual evidence? Even so, it wouldn't be proof of anthropomorphic global warming.
Ending on a good note, I'll give him credit for this bit:
Lovelock. . .added that he has little sympathy for the climate scientists caught up in the UEA email scandal. He said he had not read the original emails – "I felt reluctant to pry" – but that their reported content had left him feeling "utterly disgusted".
"Fudging the data in any way whatsoever is quite literally a sin against the holy ghost of science," he said. "I'm not religious, but I put it that way because I feel so strongly. It's the one thing you do not ever do. You've got to have standards."
Their actions might be called stupid. Perhaps the scientific method is too complex for mere humans?
(alternate close: this interview left me feeling utterly disgusted)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tech Austerity
I want to buy a new camera before the baby's born, and a new computer to load all the pics and video to. (the new tv, sound, game, and video system is still on the list, too) But the stuff I've got now is working just fine, so it's hard to justify the expense when I feel uncertain about the medium and long-term health of the economy (short term seems fine, by which I mean the next couple of months), and I have a lot of other demands on the family purse. Plus, with consumer tech, waiting rewards you with lower prices and/or better stuff, but at the expense of all the time you could've been using the new gear but weren't. For now, I think I'll wait, but I can hardly complain--the stuff I've already got is more than I'm really putting to use anyways. I think I'll just pass the interim with a tech wish list (not to be confused with my "I hope Tech loses every game" list), and get back to spending money on the family and the house-
Statist racism
Okay, so all the hullabaloo and histrionics of the last week regarding violent response to the passage of Obamacare has been tiresome, if not trite, and hypocritical. The cries of violence and racism from the Left seem to be more about projection than anything else, which leads to this week's Ayn Rand quote:
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights, cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." -Ayn Rand.
(h/t Chase)
Upgrade
I'm upgrading my old HP laptop to Ubuntu 9.10 right now.
Ubuntu has breathed new life into my PC. XP was getting unusable, and my hardware is too old for Vista or 7.
Of course my iPad will be here in 7 days, so this laptop will likely be forgotten...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Ubuntu has breathed new life into my PC. XP was getting unusable, and my hardware is too old for Vista or 7.
Of course my iPad will be here in 7 days, so this laptop will likely be forgotten...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, March 27, 2010
BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK BRICK
Friday, March 26, 2010
BRICK
Here's some more fake violence: Everytime I type "brick" in ALL CAPS, I'm imagining throwing a brick at the large plate glass window of some dusty district office of healthcare/energy/education/taxation/trans fats and sodium control. BRICK. BRICK!! It's like that game Paperboy; I'm on the bicycle, chucking bricks at the bureaucrats. BRICK!
Okay, maybe I need a better hobby.
Okay, maybe I need a better hobby.
Health care reform, finally.
It's been another salient week for Animal Farm/1984. All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others (what is increased government control but a way for a decreased number of people making decisions for the rest of us?). And words like "health care" and "reform" are growing more Orwellian by the hour. Condoning violence against GWBush gets pushed down the memory hole, and indictments of fake hate and racism on the part of the Tea Party get bandied about with abandon. The Obama plan seems to be part "two minutes hate" and part hoping that we'll all embrace Big Brother and get on with it. Imagine a boot stamping on a human face, forever. Imagine you liking it.
Here's where I'm at with it. Let's all think what we will and say what we want. Live and let live. You're free to think it's a good idea to spend someone else's money constraining someone else's choices (when did liberals fall in love with the government they were always so mad at? Oh, just mad that they weren't the ones in control? Makes sense now). You may think about control, and talk about it, too. But don't try to control me. I am free. Don't tread on me.
Here's where I'm at with it. Let's all think what we will and say what we want. Live and let live. You're free to think it's a good idea to spend someone else's money constraining someone else's choices (when did liberals fall in love with the government they were always so mad at? Oh, just mad that they weren't the ones in control? Makes sense now). You may think about control, and talk about it, too. But don't try to control me. I am free. Don't tread on me.
I'm not sure if I only admire Bill Whittle,
or if I want to be him:
Not just limiting government. Reducing it. At every level.
Sounds familiar:
A final thought on this darkish day: much is said about the “inevitability” of these kinds of legislation, that once enacted they are impossible to repeal or roll back.
This kind of thinking is self-fulfilling defeatism and has to stop. ANY law enacted can be repealed. We repealed a constitutional amendment, for God’s sake. From now on we must change our message from one of limiting government growth and spending and regulation to one of reducing it.
Not just limiting government. Reducing it. At every level.
Sounds familiar:
That government is best which governs least - Thomas Paine
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
I'm waiting for the prop bets
Big hedge fund manager believes America is on the decline thanks to the passage of our "healthcare" bill:
The man has a point. While most people do not like the healthcare bill, there are many that do, and many of those that don't believe it doesn't go far enough.
We have gotten comfortable.
Perhaps we need a new challenge. What about South America? The moon? Mars?
I'm not quite ready to bet we're going down just yet - what up and coming scrapper is going to overtake us?
Murrin is betting on China. I'm not so sure (how do you say bubble in Mandarin?). But they are as good a bet as anybody.
The passage of the health care law shows that the US empire is declining because it illustrates the fact that people expect the state to take care of them, David Murrin, the co-founder of Emergent Asset Management hedge fund manager, told CNBC.
On Tuesday, US President Barack Obama signed into law health care legislation that expands health coverage for the poor, imposes new taxes on the rich and forbids insurance practices such as refusing coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.
In their expansionary phase, empires force people to go out, seek risks and fend for themselves, Murrin said, reminding of the dismantling of the British empire after the war, when the National Health Service, which ensures universal health coverage in Britain, was created.
"This (empire decline) is actually a dead-set course that societies get into and it will happen very quickly I'm afraid," he told "Squawk Box Europe."
"As you start to build a system it becomes cohesive because of its success… the fractures in the American system I think are more apparent than ever," Murrin added.
The man has a point. While most people do not like the healthcare bill, there are many that do, and many of those that don't believe it doesn't go far enough.
We have gotten comfortable.
Perhaps we need a new challenge. What about South America? The moon? Mars?
I'm not quite ready to bet we're going down just yet - what up and coming scrapper is going to overtake us?
Murrin is betting on China. I'm not so sure (how do you say bubble in Mandarin?). But they are as good a bet as anybody.
Monday, March 22, 2010
I hate this picture
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Contact Congressman, check!
I did a first today. Found out who my congressional representative is, and then contacted him. Mr. Hank Johnson looks like a sure "yes" vote, but I sent him a short email anyways regarding my objections to the bill.
Friday, March 12, 2010
reparations
Pass nationalized healthcare. Require everyone to purchase health insurance. Force them to pay, which forces them to work. Which is slavery. And the chain is complete.
steal my idea
I want someone to start a website called throwarockatthegovernment.com. For a small fee, you can purchase rock throwing credits, and, you know, throw a rock at the government or something.
finding out what ails me
I'm reading the news too much, and finding it (almost) all to be too frustrating. This is why I want a more limited government: I want there to be fewer things that so few people (congresspeople, etc) can do to make me so aggravated. I might still find politics interesting, but I sure wish they weren't so important. I want to be left to my own life and my own decisions, and not be under the shadow, or thumb, of people who call their greed generosity and their lust for power benevolence.
I want to go throw a rock at something.
(thought crime)
I want to go throw a rock at something.
(thought crime)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Local politics
I watched part of a DeKalb County budget meeting. You should have no trouble guessing how exciting it was. But apparently nobody likes taxes.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
My letter to NBC
I just sent my two cents to NBC:
Dear NBC,
Your coverage of Nodar Kumaritashvili's death was shameful. I agree that the story of his tragic accident was newsworthy, and I appreciated the tributes that were paid to him throughout the Opening Ceremonies. However, there was absolutely no need to show the actual impact, or his bloodied face. Your coverage was cheap and grotesque. Please do not rebroadcast the footage of Mr. Kumaritashvili's tragic death. Let the Olympics be a celebration of human spirit, even if that celebration is sometimes somber.
Dear NBC,
Your coverage of Nodar Kumaritashvili's death was shameful. I agree that the story of his tragic accident was newsworthy, and I appreciated the tributes that were paid to him throughout the Opening Ceremonies. However, there was absolutely no need to show the actual impact, or his bloodied face. Your coverage was cheap and grotesque. Please do not rebroadcast the footage of Mr. Kumaritashvili's tragic death. Let the Olympics be a celebration of human spirit, even if that celebration is sometimes somber.
Snow!
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Bleat PSA
James Lileks puts thoughts into prose perfectly:
I confess I can't really decipher the source of his troubles the last few days, but this passage has stuck with me. Your family deserves your best.
Pounded flat as a tin sheet tonight, and short with my daughter, which always gives me pangs of instant regret. Never, ever take out your mood on your family. It’s the easiest thing to do and the least forgivable; they’re the ones to whom you owe your best self. The fact that they’re closest obligates you to be extra careful.
I confess I can't really decipher the source of his troubles the last few days, but this passage has stuck with me. Your family deserves your best.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
WTC
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Healthcare reform: SOLVED
Monday, February 8, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Tumblr
Paul, take a look at Tumblr. I'm thinking of moving the blog over there for those once a month posts. Looks a little cooler than blogger.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, January 11, 2010
Incredible
Vodkapundit reports on the emergence of a Tea Party Candidate.
http://pajamasmedia.com/vodkapundit/2010/01/11/dont-start-the-revolution-without-me/
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
http://pajamasmedia.com/vodkapundit/2010/01/11/dont-start-the-revolution-without-me/
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
My New Year's resolution? Post more often!
I think I'll start tomorrow!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I think I'll start tomorrow!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
100
I'm celebrating the 100th post in Boston. It's a cool city, in therms and history. I walked most of the Freedom Trail this afternoon, stopping by Paul Revere's home, Old North Church and Bunker Hill. Even posed for a pic with Sam Adams. Whatta guy-
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Weakest majority ever.
Also, a weak argument for not getting your way:
Incredible. You have the majority - if your ideas were popular, you would be unstoppable. Can't win? Let's change the rules!
(h/t - insty)
PS - Isn't it incredible that all these democrat wunderkinds (Yglesias, Ezra, et al) keep coming up with the most wonderful, worthless, worn out, and weak bullshit, yet they keep producing (and keep getting heard!)? What a gig! Do they get paid by the word or something?
The smarter elements in Washington DC are starting to pick up on the fact that it’s not tactical errors on the part of the president that make it hard to get things done, it’s the fact that the country has become ungovernable...
We’re suffering from an incoherent institutional set-up in the senate. You can have a system in which a defeated minority still gets a share of governing authority and participates constructively in the victorious majority’s governing agenda, shaping policy around the margins in ways more to their liking. Or you can have a system in which a defeated minority rejects the majority’s governing agenda out of hand, seeks opening for attack, and hopes that failure on the part of the majority will bring them to power. But right now we have both simultaneously. It’s a system in which the minority benefits if the government fails, and the minority has the power to ensure failure...
Incredible. You have the majority - if your ideas were popular, you would be unstoppable. Can't win? Let's change the rules!
It’s insane, and it needs to be changed.Hah! Didn't the people just vote for change? Another failed promise!
(h/t - insty)
PS - Isn't it incredible that all these democrat wunderkinds (Yglesias, Ezra, et al) keep coming up with the most wonderful, worthless, worn out, and weak bullshit, yet they keep producing (and keep getting heard!)? What a gig! Do they get paid by the word or something?
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